Donald Trump faced another legal setback this week when a New York appeals court turned down his last-minute effort to delay a sentencing hearing scheduled for this Friday. The hearing is part of a criminal case involving hush-money payments, marking yet another chapter in Trump’s ongoing legal battles as he prepares to take office later this month.
The ruling came from Justice Ellen Gesmer of the New York First Department Court of Appeals. After a Tuesday emergency hearing, she firmly denied Trump’s request to postpone the hearing. “After reviewing the arguments and evidence, the request for a delay is denied,” she wrote in a short but decisive order.
Trump’s legal team, led by attorney Todd Blanche, had argued that the case should be paused while they appealed a prior ruling by Acting New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan. Blanche contended that Trump, as a president-elect, should be protected from criminal proceedings under a broad interpretation of presidential immunity.
The controversy began in mid-December when Justice Merchan rejected Trump’s claim that he couldn’t be prosecuted for actions connected to his official duties. Trump’s team also argued that this immunity should extend into the period after his election and before his inauguration. Merchan, however, dismissed these claims as repetitive and legally unfounded, stating, “Most of the arguments raised by the defendant have already been addressed or do not apply here.”
Undeterred, Trump’s lawyers filed an appeal on Monday, insisting that Merchan’s decision was wrong and endangered the presidency itself. According to them, allowing this case to proceed went against legal precedents that protect sitting presidents and even presidents-elect from criminal charges.
But the appeals court didn’t buy it. Justice Gesmer pointedly asked Blanche if there were any legal precedents supporting the idea of immunity for a president-elect. Blanche admitted there weren’t, saying, “There has never been a case like this before.” That admission gave Manhattan District Attorney’s Office lawyer Steven Wu a chance to highlight how weak the argument was, saying, “There’s simply no legal basis to grant an automatic delay in this case.”
Despite Trump’s efforts, Friday’s sentencing is expected to go forward. However, Justice Merchan has suggested that Trump may not face any serious punishment. In a written statement, Merchan hinted that incarceration—an option allowed by the conviction—wasn’t being seriously considered anymore. Instead, he said he would likely let Trump appear remotely for the hearing to accommodate the demands of his presidential transition.
While Trump’s legal team may be gearing up for further fights, this ruling keeps the case moving forward and adds another twist to a highly charged legal and political saga. The sentencing hearing is set to take place in New York City, bringing Trump’s challenges closer to a resolution, at least for now.
